Get Elements

Over ten years ago, we reviewed Alien Skin's filters back in 1995 with their "Black Box" product including an interview with from Michael Pilmer, one of the developers of Alien Skin. Later, XenoFex was a DTG "BEST" winner in 1998. Then along came "Eye Candy 4000" which was also a true blockbuster, and the basis of this new incarnation. Next we told you that the "Image Doctor will see you now" ... and still later we brought you the all new Eye Candy 5 "Nature" and "Texture" .... well here comes...

... from Alien Skin

Alien Skin Software Releases Exposure 2 Film Stock Simulator and Effects Package... this new Photoshop plug-in features more than 300 presets for film simulation and a full range of photo lab and darkroom effects

EXPOSURE 2 photographic filter and effect plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop, Elements, and other compatible host programs, is a wrap-around solution for film stock simulation and effects. Exposure 2 lets digital photographers and graphic artists enhance any digital photo by simulating the rich, organic look of film.

Developed from a detailed, scientific analysis of current and discontinued color and black and white print and slide stocks, Exposure 2 features more than 300 presets that emulate the warmth, softness, and realistic grains of film - the vivid colors of Velvia®, the natural skin tones of Portra®, and the ethereal glow of infrared - to provide new and alternative looks for fashion, wedding, magazine, event, and portrait photographers, photo hobbyists, and a wide array of creative, printing, and graphic arts professionals. Exposure 2 even simulates the retro colors of faded Polaroid®.

More sophisticated than merely adding simple digital noise, Exposure 2's grain simulation models the size, shape, and color of real world grain, including the unique salt and pepper grain of TRI-X® and the large, intensely colorful grain of the discontinued GAF® 500. Exposure 2 grain size is automatically adjusted to image size so grain looks the same on high- and low-resolution photos. A roughness control gives Exposure 2 users subtle control over grain shape.

While other digital image products produce flat, lifeless black and white conversions, Exposure 2 also brings back the high impact of black and white film to digital photography. A simple yet flexible channel mixer interface provides subtle control over the color to black and white conversion process. Color toning, contrast, and grain add the finishing touches to turn color photographs into dramatic black and white works of art.

Beyond the ability to reproduce the look and feel of film, Exposure 2 offers a range of effects previously available only in darkrooms and photo labs, such as push and cross processing and glamour portrait softening. Exposure 2's controls enable users to easily manage color saturation, tone, sharpness, and grain, streamlining workflow for photographers and graphic artists with one comprehensive yet easy-to-use tool.

Applying Exposure 2 settings to batches of images is easily accomplished using Photoshop Actions. Any Exposure 2 preset can be the starting point for a signature look by adjusting it to suit a particular subject. This new look can be saved as a setting for future use. All Exposure 2 settings can be deployed nondestructively in a new Photoshop layer named after the setting used. Exposure 2 supports Photoshop CS3 Smart Filters. (Here's a shot of the interface)

For ease of use, Exposure 2 settings are organized into categories, and last-used settings are remembered and highlighted. Previews are automatically scaled to fit the current window size. Multithreaded to run faster on multiprocessors or multi-core processors, Exposure 2 also easily handles 16-bit images, allowing RAW images to be manipulated at their highest quality.

Exposure 2 - for true photographically correct images

Exposure 2 retails for $249 USD with an upgrade price of $149 USD for registered users of Exposure 1. Online delivery is available directly on the Alien Skin. Exposure 2 is also available worldwide through stores, catalogs, and resellers. Free upgrades are available to purchasers of Exposure 1 who purchased on September 1, 2007 or later.

Host Requirements -
Exposure 2 is a plug-in and will require one of the following: Adobe Photoshop CS2 or later, Adobe Photoshop Elements® 4 or later, Adobe Fireworks® CS3, or Corel® Paint Shop Pro® Photo XI. Exposure 2 is a Universal Macintosh® application. Live Effects in Fireworks CS3 are not supported.

System Requirements -
Microsoft® Windows® users must have at least a Pentium® 4 processor or compatible and Windows XP or later. Apple® Macintosh users must have a PowerPC® or Intel® processor and Mac OS X 10.4 or later. A monitor with 1024x768 resolution or greater is required.

Alien Skin Software

The developer of award-winning plug-ins since 1994, Alien Skin Software created the first drop shadow filter for Adobe Photoshop. Their reputation for bug-free software and fast, friendly tech support has grown worldwide throughout the years. Alien Skin continues to write and sell digital photo filters and effects that users love. For more information, visit their website at www.alienskin.com. Exposure, Alien Skin Software, and the Alien Skin Software logo are registered trademarks of Alien Skin Software, LLC. All other trademarks or service marks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. They will never wear suits.

Participate in your Design Center

Lots of fun and information for all... don't forget, any community is only as good as the participation of its members. We invite your tips, tricks, comments, suggestions and camaraderie.

Ask for the DT&G Monthly: to receive DT&G newsletter each month, happenings in the Design Center and regular columns like the "Mail Bag" and "Cool Sites"